The hunt is on to find Lincolnshire firms with the X-port factor as applications open for the East Midlands International Business Awards 2010.

Last year Lincoln engineering firm Castlet Ltd won the Established Exporter Worldwide Award.

The UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) awards celebrate companies that have excelled in embracing the challenges of trading internationally and demonstrated the importance of international trade for business growth and sustainability.

Peter Hogarth, UKTI East Midlands International Trade Director, said:

“Given the current economic climate international trade has never been more important.  Therefore it’s key for us to celebrate the success of local companies who have taken up the challenge and have demonstrated success and sustained growth through exports and inspire others to do the same. 

“Our exporters are vital to maintaining the East Midland’s economy during the current downturn as well as creating markets for the future.”

Firms can apply under seven categories. 

There are two special categories new to this years awards:

·         Young Exporter of the Year, for exporters under 35

·         Innovative Exporter of the Year. 

Other existing categories are:

·         New Exporter Award

·         Export Achievement Award

·         International Business Communication Award

·         Established Exporter Award – with two sub categories

o   Brazil, India, Russia and China (BRIC)

o   Worldwide

The winners will be announced at a special lunch at The Priest House, Castle Donington on 3 December,

To nominate your company, or for more information, please log on to: www.eventsforce.net/international-awards-2010

Nominations will close on 1 November 2010 at 5pm.

In 2008/09 UK Trade & Investment East Midlands helped more than 2,500 companies.

UKTI’s advisers can help UK businesses to decide if they are ready for export, investigate markets for them, find potential business partners, provide grants for firms to go overseas and support businesses once they are there.

For more information about how UKTI can help businesses to expand internationally, visit www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk. 

The International Trade Chamber met with David Burgess, Relationship Director, and Peter Ponsford, International Business, from Lloyds TSB Commercial to discuss future working relationships and events. Lloyds TSB are keen to develop links with the International Trade Chamber, which will benefit members dealing in international trade. Lloyds TSB are also launching a new import working capital facility which is an unique service to importers. For further information, please contact helen.tomkinson@lincs-chamber.co.uk and keep reading the blog for future events being held in conjunction with Lloyds TSB.

The International Trade Chamber is pleased to welcome BGB Innovation and Languages for Life Ltd both based in Grantham. BGB Innovation is a leading designer and manufacturer of electrical Slip Ring Systems, Underwater Lighting & Camera Solutions and Wireless Ethernet Bridge Systems. The company is divided into three industry brands – BGB Engineering, BGB Marine & BGB Digilinc. Major markets include:

• Wind turbine control and power transfer
• Water and sewage treatment
• Packaging machines
• Leisure rides
• Cable reeling
• Stand-by power generation
• Fish farming (Aquaculture)

Languages for Life Ltd. are a specialist language agency based in Grantham, Lincolnshire. The owner and founder of the company, Brigitte Peach PGCE MCIL, is a native German speaker and a fully qualified teacher with many years’ experience in school (up to A-Level), further education, university and corporate environments. Brigitte is also a qualified technical translator and interpreter. For further details regarding membership of the International Trade Chamber, please contact helen.tomkinson@lincs-chamber.co.uk

Help at hand to trade in export markets and replace trade insurance.  As businesses face challenges in the UK many are looking to export markets for growth.

Recent surveys suggest that 29% of businesses are refocusing into international markets, 41% are seeing growth in exports and 87% of Chamber members export to Europe.  However a continuing theme is difficulty in finding finance for exports and troubles over late payments when trading overseas, especially into Europe.  

When I am looking to exports ....

How do I know who is likely to pay
What do we do if they will not pay
What if they become insolvent and can not pay?

                          ........and how do I fund my business whilst I am waiting for payment from overseas.

Lincolnshire Chamber has worked with our partners to develop a package of support through Chamber Invoice Finance supported by RBS invoice finance

Chamber Invoice finance can Approve, Fund, Collect and Protect invoiced trade on open account to over 50 approved territories.   The facilities can all be managed on one simple platform accredited by ACCA and can sit alongside the working capital for all domestic trade.

Chamber members have a preferential service, fast response, and discounted price for the service.  If you would like help please call your Chamber and then get through to the fast response team:

Chamber Invoice Finance 0800 085 6155

The International Trade Chamber is working in conjunction with HS Language Services on Business Language Taster Seminars on the 3rd of February 2011, from 7.30am – 10.00am at Commerce House in Lincoln. The taster sessions will concentration on languages chosen by delegates, and range from French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Polish. To register your interest please contact Helen Tomkinson by email on helen.tomkinson@lincs-chamber.co.uk or by telephone on 01522 846929.

It has been a busy week working on the Agriculture and Horticulture Chamber; Mark Farmer, Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society and Laura Luty, Marketing & Communications Manager, invited me to the Lincolnshire Showground yesterday to discuss the aims and objectives of the Agricultural and Horticultural Chamber and future relationships between the Chamber and the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society. 

Lincolnshire Agricultural Society was formed in 1869 and is best known throughout the county as the organiser of the annual Lincolnshire Show, an event which draws visitors from all over the county and beyond. By becoming a member of the Society you will not only be helping to support good causes in agriculture and education in the county, but as a member you will also enjoy benefits such as, free entry to the Lincolnshire Show, use of all the superb membership facilities, invitation to the Spring Lecture and Christmas Food and Drink Fair preview evening, promotional offers from linked organisations including Market Rasen Racecourse, the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Lincoln Drill Hall, the Lincoln Aga Shop and North Hykeham's Terry O'Toole Theatre. The Society has approximately 3,000 members and its 2010 President is Mr Hugh Bourn.

The Lincolnshire Agricultural Society is keen to support the Agriculture and Horticulture Chamber so keep reading our blog for future developments and events.

Today I met with Jo Costall from McKinnells Solicitors regarding future developments of the Agriculture and Horticulture Chamber, the launch event and future business events in this sector. Jo Costall is keen to work with the Agriculture and Horticulture Chamber and sees a benefit to working with the Chamber to help businesses operating in the land-based sector. Estimates suggest that 40% of farm businesses have changed or diversified over the last 30 years, and McKinnells Land are constantly reviewing agricultural legislation to ensure clients have the very latest knowledge with which to run their businesses.  For further information about the Agriculture and Horticulture Chamber Launch Event and sponsorship opportunities please contact me on 01522 846929 or email helen.tomkinson@lincs-chamber.co.uk 

The Tourism and Hospitality Chamber invite you to a Networking Buffet at Southview Park Hotel in Skegness on the 21st of October 2010 from 12.00pm until 2.00pm at a cost of just £12.50 +VAT for all delegates.

Lincolnshire Chamber Area Networking Events provide an effective marketing platform for creating and developing opportunities and a network of contacts, based on referrals and introductions. These can be both a route to market and a marketing method. This Area Networking Buffet offer a way to engage with coastal (and Lincolnshire) businesses through relationship building and recommendations.

Lincolnshire Chamber Networking Events are designed to encourage business relations and intertrading. Our events provide fantastic, cost-effective ways to meet new contacts, network casually and inter-trade with your fellow Chamber members and other local businesses.

If you would like to book your place at the Networking Buffet please add this to your basket, telephone Rachel Mooney on 01522 523333, or email rachel.mooney@lincs-chamber.co.uk.

One of the events I have attended previously is the Skegness Business Forum. The Skegness Business Forum has been designed to get local businesses in the Skegness area to meet and discuss key topics facing the local business environment. The next meeting is being held on Thursday the 11th of November at the Marine Boat House, Lumley Road, Skegness from 7.30am until 9.00am.

Lloyds TSB have kindly agreed to sponsor the next Skegness Business Forum, and will give you a short presentation on 'Sustainability' including Carbon Management, Responsible Procurement & Trading to Protect the Environment.

Networking is a key element for all businesses. Meeting and working together helps to build relationship and develop businesses. At the November meeting we will be giving you the ideal opportunity to network during our Speed-Networking session, and we recommend exchanging business cards, so please ensure you bring plenty with you.

Agenda

Breakfast and Networking
Lloyds TSB Presentation
Speed-Networking
Announcements
Close

Please recommend this event to a business contact, or bring a guest along who has not attended before. This Business Forum is there for everyone’s benefit, and the more people who attend, the more inter-trading and contacts can be made.

Commenting on the UK trade figures for August published today by the ONS, Simon Beardsley, Chief Executive at the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce said,

“Our members in the manufacturing sector reported an increase this quarter in overseas sales and orders by around 5%. Our service sector members claimed a decrease in overseas sales and orders this quarter. These figures are mixed and in line with expectations. It is disappointing that exports fell slightly, but imports fell even more, and overall the result was an improvement in the net trade position.

“While this is positive, the improvement this year is by no means sufficient, and it is critical that the relatively strong manufacturing figures we have seen recently should be translated into a much stronger trading position.

“With the forthcoming spending cuts set to dampen domestic demand, the Lincolnshire and UK economy risk declines without significant growth in net exports. The Government must make sure that our exporters are not placed at a competitive disadvantage in key areas such as short-term trade finance. On their part, British exporters must reinforce their efforts to diversify into emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil.”